RCMP commit to reconciliation action with women’s society

NWT RCMP say they have begun “a true commitment to reconciliation” with the Yellowknife Women’s Society.

The RCMP, women’s society and Canadian Race Relations Foundation, or CRRF, issued a joint statement this week committing to address trust and safety issues with the police that Indigenous women in the city have voiced.

“We recognize that systemic change cannot happen in isolation; it requires partnership, transparency and sustained listening,” the statement reads.

“Most of all, it requires supporting and honouring Indigenous peoples as leaders in building safer and more just communities.”

The statement is the outcome of an October meeting between the police, CRRF and women’s foundation.

That meeting was held in response to a 2024 report that highlighted the experiences of more than 30 Indigenous women in the city who have experienced homelessness or precarious housing.

Many said they did not trust RCMP, had experienced police discrimination and felt powerless to hold officers accountable.

RCMP and the women’s society have committed to several actions early in the new year to address those concerns.

They include developing roles and responsibilities for a liasion between RCMP and women’s society by January 30.

The organizations also aim to increase understanding of victims’ rights by posting information on social media and distributing information wallet cards in community spaces by February 15.

The women’s society plans to review RCMP Indigenous awareness training materials and provide feedback by February 15. The society also plans to participate in RCMP simulation training with Elders and youth by May 1 and offer its feedback.

By March 31, police and the women’s society are expected to consider more frequent meeting with the RCMP deputy commissioner.

By the same deadline, RCMP have committed to complete a first recruitment session for Indigenous officers and develop an evaluation mechanism for future recruitment through a letter of understanding with the women’s society.

The organizations will jointly develop a letter of understanding pledging ongoing assessment, evaluation and annual reporting of outcomes on those commitments by April 1.

They said these actions are the start of a long-term relationship with a focus on systemic change.

“We recognize and understand that trust must be earned, that healing takes time and that reconciliation is not a gesture but a responsibility. We all must work collectively towards reconciliACTION,” they stated.